Ebola cases in eastern Congo climb to 782 and deaths reach 181

Latest count

Congo’s health ministry says the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo has climbed to 782 confirmed cases and 181 deaths.

The ministry also reported 56 recoveries and a fatality rate of 23%. AP said the figures were posted on the ministry’s social account on June 14.

More than 90% of cases are in Ituri province, where response teams are working in areas affected by armed conflict and displacement. Authorities have also recorded cases in North Kivu and South Kivu, with spillover into Uganda.

How the outbreak has unfolded

The outbreak was officially confirmed on May 15, although AP reported that it likely began weeks earlier. Since then, the totals have moved quickly as health officials have revised the counts upward.

Earlier on June 14, The Guardian reported 676 confirmed cases and 136 deaths. A later AP report said the ministry had updated the totals to 782 cases and 181 deaths, underscoring how fast the situation is changing.

Earlier AP coverage on May 31 said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited Bunia, announced five recoveries and said a new Ebola treatment center had opened in eastern Congo. AP also reported on June 8 that the outbreak was already changing daily life, including wedding plans and other gatherings in Bunia.

Why containment is difficult

The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which AP said has no approved vaccine or treatment. That leaves officials relying on rapid contact tracing, isolation, safer burials and treatment access to slow transmission.

Those tools are harder to use in eastern Congo’s conflict zones. AP reported that nearly a million people have been displaced in Ituri, while contact tracing coverage has fallen to 56%. The report also cited attacks on health workers, skepticism among some residents and armed conflict as barriers to the response.

What officials are watching next

Public health officials are watching whether cases in Uganda remain contained and whether tracing coverage can improve in the hardest-hit areas.

The next ministry update and any new WHO or Africa CDC situation report will show whether the outbreak is still accelerating or whether the response is starting to slow transmission.